AMES, Ia. — Iowa State has broken its football season-ticket sales record nearly a month before the first game, the university announced Wednesday. The current total of 43,570 season tickets sold is better than the record of 43,165 set in 2013.

“My challenge to all of Cyclone Nation is to see if we can make it to 45,000,” athletics director Jamie Pollard said in a statement. “There are sections in the stadium with season tickets still available, but fans need to act in the next week before single-game sales start.”

Single-game ticket sales to the general public begin Aug. 15. The Cyclones open the season Aug. 31 against UNI at 11 a.m. at Jack Trice Stadium.

Iowa State students provided a recent surge in sales, resulting in the sections reserved for students being completely sold out.

“Our students are amazing,” Pollard said. “They have responded enthusiastically to support this year’s ISU football team and pushed us to never-before-reached ticket sales levels. As such, our inventory for student tickets is sold out.”

Randy Peterson is the Iowa State columnist for the Register. Reach him at rpeterson@dmreg.com, 515-284-8132, and on Twitter at @RandyPete. No one covers the Cyclones like the Register. Subscribe today at DesMoinesRegister.com/Deal to make sure you never miss a moment.